Moments From Brooklyn's Party...

I somehow find myself without words when I stop to think that my firstborn has turned 6. I have thought over and over where has the time gone, how did my darling, dimpled, chubby-cheeked, little baby girl grow up so quickly, how can I stop time? I find great joy in being "Mommy" to Brooklyn, but do so desire for time to stand still and to let me savor for another moment the gift of her being a newborn, an infant, a toddler, my baby girl. And as I sit here with tears falling down my face, wishing for the gift of going backwards in time, I am faced with the reality that had time indeed stopped, I would be robbed of all the wonderful memories that I have of my precious daughter and would also be robbing others of the joy that she has brought into their lives. So as I tuck her into bed tonight, I will hold on a little tighter, give her a few more kisses, listen more intently, and do my best to savor even more, each and every moment that we have together. I'll close by quoting the words to one of my favorite songs...

"We have this moment to hold in our hands
And to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand
Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come
But we have this moment, today.

Hold tight to the sound of the music of living
Happy sounds from the laughter of children at play
Hold my hand as we walk through the sweet fragrant meadows
Making memories of what was today.

Tiny voice that I hear is my little girl calling
For daddy to hear just what she has to say
My little boy running there by the hillside
May never be quite like today.

Tender words gentle touch and a good cup of coffee
And someone who loves me and wants me to stay
Hold them dear while they’re near don’t wait for tomorrow
To look back and wish for today.

Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come
but we have this moment, today."

Hope that you enjoy a few snapshot moments from her day...


Waiting for the party to begin.


My whole family was there for the party.


Enjoying the rides.


Brooklyn & Rochenda playing air hockey.


Nana & all her grandkids.


I guess when you are small you get "more" for your token...


The Birthday girl and her cake.


Time for presents...


Brittan & Rena enjoyed the bike!!


Who knew that this horse would be such a hit??:)


Brooklyn & her many presents - thank you everyone!!!


Our family with Chuck E. Cheese.:)

Our Little Angel Turns 6...

It will be six years ago tomorrow that we received one of our greatest blessings from God. She came in the form of a dark haired, dark eyed, olive skinned, little girl and we chose to name her, Brooklyn Illa. Nothing could have ever prepared me for the joy that she has brought into our home. To try and sum her up in a short post is impossible, there are truly not enough words that are adequate enough to describe her. She fills our lives with her bright dimpled smile, her SWEET & kind spirit, her desire to help, and her undying love for everyone in her life. She loves being a big sister to Brittan (and is a good one!), loves animals, loves flowers, being outside, living in her world of make believe and imagination, is definitely a Daddy's Girl, but has a special spot for Mommy, Nana & Poppy are her very most favorite people, she loves art and drawing, loves to sing, and always desires to please whomever it is that she is with. She is extremely considerate, very consciencious, and loves Jesus with all her heart. Although not perfect, she has been an easy child to raise and it is our desire that she grows up to be all that God has for her to be.

Thank you, Brooklyn, for the way you have blessed our lives each and everyday that you have been a part of them. You are truly a gift from Heaven, our little angel!! Be you, that is who God intended for you to be. And by following the path that He wrote for your life you can never go wrong. No one else can fulfill the plans He has for you and we are excited to see what He has in store for you. We love you more than life itself. Happy Birthday!

Pictures From Our Week...

I am posting a whole host of pictures from our week in order to catch up. I have fallen a little behind, so warning they are very random.:) Our week consisted of VBS everyday for Brooklyn, a few different playdates - 2 of which I forgot my camera, working on the house project(which is still progressing slowly!) and the usual everyday tasks that go along with being a Mommy. We are enjoying a relaxing summer and are trying not to fill it up full to the brim with traveling here and there, we did that last summer and it was exhausting, but I must admit I am looking forward to going camping sometime in July.(hint, hint Shauna!)Hope everyone has a wonderful week.


My children with their WONDERFUL Daddy on Father's Day.


Our little family posing together on Father's Day.


Happy Father's Day - Daddy & Poppa


Brook & Brittan checking on our plane in the hanger. Brook is a member of the Sheriff's Air Posse here in Nez Perce Co. and so we store our plane in the hanger there.


Brittan 'flying' Verl's plane.


Brookyn watching "Teacher/Mrs. Trigsted" sharing a bite of Emily's treat.:)We had a wonderful time just sitting by the pool visiting for hours!! Thank you, Wendy. Let's do it again soon, I so enjoyed our time together!


Wendy helping Gabby with her popcicle


Brooklyn, Brittan, & Gabby enjoying their orange juice popcicles.


Brooklyn & Gabby playing in the water together and having a marvelous time!


Brittan thought that these goggles would "help him swim."


Brooklyn lost her other front tooth and mommy is sad, although it is adorable! It seems like they were just coming in, where has the time gone?


Brooklyn & Brittan ready for bed. The big smile was brought on by Brittan saying,"I love Nana!"


All dressed up and ready to go to church this morning.


A few of the kids from VBS performing one of their songs. (Brooklyn is on the left)


Singing 'God's Big Backyard'

I Loved NYC! (part 3)

There are the last of the pictures that I am going to post from NYC. I know it looks like all we did was eat out, but it was hard to remember my camera everywhere we went.:) And we did eat at same very cool places, so enjoy...


Visiting Trump Tower


It was fun to eat at all the different resturants, ones that I would never have picked and to try foods that I would never order. That was an education in and of itself!!


FAO Schwartz - A FUN place to shop!!!


Almost the whole group out to dinner at some famous Mexican resturant (sorry I can't remember the name.)





Dad, Mom, & I ready to go out to the celebration dinner.



Enjoying dinner at Smith & Woolinskey


My Mom, Me, Jennifer, & Lisa


Standing by the stage where the Jonas Brothers were to perform in a couple of hours.


Goodbye NYC!

I Loved NYC! (part 2)

More Pictures - Hope I am not boring you, but there are some that are interested. (these are for you Mary!!:):) )


The Brooklyn Bridge. (taken for my own Brooklyn)


Sitting at the Brooklyn Tabernacle waiting for service to start on Sunday morning. What a treat!!!


NBC Studios in Rockfellar Plaza. Very fun!


Trinity Church nestled in between all the many buildings on Wall Street. This is the church where everyone ran for safety during the attack on 9/11.


The NYSE


Jennifer & I, having just received our badges and security clearance are ready to enter the NYSE. Extremely enjoyable day!!


Up on the executive floor of the NYSE, in the board room. We are standing in front of the origional timepiece that was first used when the Stock Exchange was first opened. It still works today and has never had to be reset in all hundreds of years it has been used. Also, that is 24ct gold that lines the molding on all the walls and ceilings in the building. The architecture today is not quite the same. It really was breathtaking!


Looking out the first window from the top floor at Bank of New York. It was beautiful!!


A view of Ground Zero from the top floor. They told us that on 9/11 they were up in this particular room and were at eye level with the second plane before it hit the Twin Towers. It literally was right there within almost an arms reach of them. Can you imagine?


Another view from the top floor - NYC skyline


Lunch at the Bank of New York


Notice the last name on my place card.:)I think that my dad was thinking that it was much easier to pronounce than Schatz.:):)


The dessert was too beautiful to eat!


The sign at the Bank of New York welcoming the Idaho Delegation Team.


(From L to R)My Dad, Jennifer Carberry, Senator Brent Hill, Me, My Mom. Other side - Donna Denny, Underwriter Scott??, & Speaker of the House Lawerence Denny